The 131st Boston Marathon is run on Monday 19 April 2027, Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts. The world’s oldest annual marathon, organised by the Boston Athletic Association, follows its traditional point-to-point course from Hopkinton to Boston’s Boylston Street finish line. Boston is one of the six World Marathon Majors and the most historic of all road marathons.
What is the Boston Marathon?
The Boston Marathon is a 26.2-mile road race held annually in eastern Massachusetts. First run in 1897 with just 15 entrants, it is the oldest annual marathon in the world and one of the most prestigious. The race is organised by the Boston Athletic Association and is one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors alongside Berlin, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo.
Unlike most major marathons, Boston requires runners to meet strict qualifying standards based on age and gender, with cut-off times that have become a bucket-list goal for amateur distance runners worldwide. The qualifying system gives Boston a more competitive amateur field than most major city marathons. The elite men’s, elite women’s and wheelchair fields race for prize money, course records and the famous laurel wreaths and olive branch crowns awarded to the winners.
When is the Boston Marathon 2027?
The 2027 Boston Marathon is run on Monday 19 April 2027, Patriots’ Day, the third Monday in April and a state holiday in Massachusetts. The race traditionally begins with the men’s wheelchair start at 9:02am Eastern Time, followed by the women’s wheelchair race, the elite men’s and elite women’s fields, and waved corral starts for the rest of the field.
Where is the Boston Marathon?
The Boston Marathon follows a point-to-point course from Hopkinton, a small town west of Boston, to the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston’s Back Bay. The course passes through eight Massachusetts towns: Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and Boston. The most famous section is the Newton Hills, a series of four uphill sections between miles 16 and 21, culminating in Heartbreak Hill. The course is net downhill but contains significant elevation changes that make it ineligible for world records.
Key Contenders
The Boston Marathon attracts the world’s elite distance runners. East African nations, particularly Kenya and Ethiopia, have dominated the men’s and women’s open titles for the past two decades. Recent men’s champions include Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia, Evans Chebet of Kenya and Eliud Kipchoge, although Kipchoge’s only Boston outing came in 2023. Recent women’s champions include Hellen Obiri of Kenya, the back-to-back winner in 2023 and 2024, and Atsede Baysa of Ethiopia.
The men’s wheelchair race is dominated by Marcel Hug of Switzerland, who has set multiple course records. The women’s wheelchair field has been led by Manuela Schar of Switzerland and Susannah Scaroni of the United States. American runners regularly contend in the open elite races, with Galen Rupp and Des Linden among the most recent American podium finishers.
How to Watch
In the United States, ESPN holds the broadcast rights to the Boston Marathon, with full live coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and the ESPN app from the early morning. WBZ-TV provides local Boston coverage. In the United Kingdom, the BBC and Eurosport have historically carried selected Marathon Majors coverage, with the World Marathon Majors website providing live streaming in some territories. Radio coverage is provided by WBZ NewsRadio in Boston.
History and Records
The Boston Marathon was first run in 1897, inspired by the inaugural Olympic marathon in Athens the previous year. John J. McDermott won the first race in 2:55:10. The course was originally 24.5 miles before being lengthened to the standard 26.2 miles in 1924. The men’s course record is 2:03:02, set by Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya in 2011. The women’s course record is 2:17:22, set by Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia in 2014.
Notable Boston Marathon moments include the women’s marathon revolution of 1967, when Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially run Boston, defying race officials who tried to physically remove her. Women were officially permitted to enter from 1972. The 2013 race was struck by twin bombings near the finish line, killing three spectators and injuring more than 260. The 2014 race carried profound emotional weight, with American Meb Keflezighi becoming the first US-born winner of the men’s race in 31 years.
Tickets and Attendance
The Boston Marathon does not sell spectator tickets, with the race free to watch from any point along the 26.2-mile course. Approximately 30,000 runners take part each year, with crowds estimated at half a million along the route. The Boston Athletic Association sells finish line grandstand tickets to a limited number of VIPs and sponsors. Charity entries provide access for runners who cannot meet the qualifying standards, with significant fundraising commitments required.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Boston Marathon 2027 start?
Monday 19 April 2027, Patriots’ Day. The first wheelchair start is at 9:02am Eastern Time, with the elite open races following.
Where is the Boston Marathon being held?
From Hopkinton, Massachusetts to the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston, covering 26.2 miles through eight towns.
How can I watch the Boston Marathon?
ESPN and ESPN2 in the United States, World Marathon Majors international streaming, WBZ-TV for local coverage.
Who won the last Boston Marathon?
Recent champions include Hellen Obiri of Kenya in the women’s race and Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia in the men’s race.
How do I qualify for the Boston Marathon?
Runners must achieve a qualifying time at a certified marathon, with standards varying by age and gender. The Boston Athletic Association publishes the current qualifying standards and registration windows annually.